Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)
What is TIC?
Trauma-Informed Care might sound clinical or heavy, but at its core, it’s a practical, compassionate approach to care, education, and service that recognizes how stress and trauma impact the nervous system.
If this framework were named today, it might be called “Neuroscience-Informed Care” or “N.E.A.R. Science-Informed Care.” TIC helps us understand how trauma and stress affect our bodies and minds—and how to create environments that support healing rather than add to the burden.
Trauma isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a biological one. It activates the body’s stress response system, often impairing memory, emotional regulation, sleep, and connection. With Trauma-Informed Care, we shift our mindset: we see trauma as an injury to the nervous system, not an illness. And the good news? Healing is possible.
Foundations of TIC (Online Course Series)
This three-part self-paced series provides foundational training in the neuroscience of trauma, the importance of regulation, and the six guiding principles of TIC. Each module takes approximately one hour.
TIC 101: Understanding Trauma Accordion Closed
Learn about the prevalence of trauma, its symptoms, and its long-term effects on health. This module introduces the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which reveals how early adversity shapes lifelong health outcomes.
TIC 102: The Importance of Regulation Accordion Closed
Explore how trauma affects the brain and body, and discover how regulation helps restore balance to the nervous system. Learn practical techniques for supporting self- and co-regulation.
TIC 103: The 6 Principles of TIC Accordion Closed
Dive into the philosophy and framework of Trauma-Informed Care through six core principles that guide meaningful change in classrooms, clinics, and communities.
The 6 Principles of TIC
These six principles guide the application of Trauma-Informed Care in any setting—helping to build trust, safety, and support for those affected by trauma.
Principle #1 – The Lenses: N.E.A.R. Science & Intersectionality Accordion Closed
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N.E.A.R. Science:
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Neuroscience – Understand how trauma affects brain development and nervous system function.
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Epigenetics – Trauma can be passed down through gene expression changes.
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ACEs Study – Early adversity is linked to later health and behavioral issues.
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Resilience – Most people exposed to trauma develop resilience. Healing is possible.
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Intersectionality:
Our identities intersect in complex ways. These layered identities may amplify the effects of trauma or stress—and should always be part of a trauma-informed lens.
Principle #2 – Safety Accordion Closed
The nervous system cannot regulate without a sense of physical and psychological safety. This includes predictability, respect, boundaries, and consistency.
Principle #3 – Trust & Transparency Accordion Closed
Trust is built when we communicate openly and share how decisions are made. Trauma-Informed Care prioritizes openness to rebuild safety in relationships.
Principle #4 – Support & Connection Accordion Closed
Human beings are wired for connection. Our nervous systems regulate in supportive relationships—making co-regulation one of the most powerful healing tools.
Principle #5 – Collaboration & Mutuality Accordion Closed
Healing environments share power. Collaboration ensures all voices are heard, and success is a mutual outcome—not a top-down directive.
Principle #6 – Empowerment, Voice, & Choice Accordion Closed
Trauma often robs individuals of their autonomy. TIC seeks to restore it by promoting voice, choice, and education. Empowerment is a developmental process—and a practice.
Core Concepts of TIC
These core ideas provide essential language for understanding and applying a trauma-informed lens.
The 3 E’s of Trauma-Informed Care Accordion Closed
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Events – What happened to the person.
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Experience – How they personally experienced and interpreted those events.
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Effects – The long-term impacts on well-being, including mental, physical, and emotional health.
The 4 R’s of Trauma-Informed Care Accordion Closed
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Realize the widespread impact of trauma.
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Recognize the signs and symptoms.
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Respond with principles of TIC.
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Resist re-traumatization through safe and supportive policies.
Higher-Level Trauma-Informed Courses
Available upon request. Foundations modules recommended before attending.
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Trauma-Informed Leadership
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Trauma-Informed Classrooms & Pedagogy
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Trauma-Informed Student Services
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Trauma-Informed Workplace Culture / Healthy Relationships
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Trauma-Informed Case Management & Social Services
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Trauma-Informed Health Care Education
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Trauma-Informed Health Care Delivery
Join a Trauma-Informed Learning Community (TILC)
Once you complete the Foundations of TIC, you’re invited to drop into a Trauma-Informed Learning Community. These ongoing, collaborative spaces are designed to help you implement TIC in real time—through coaching, discussion, and problem-solving. Visit our Upcoming Events page to sign up today!